I have a 160GB signature mini external harddrive. It has been working fine for months but all of a sudden my laptop
won't recognize when I plug it into the usb port. The red light comes
on to show that it has power but it doesn't show up on the computer. I tried it on another computer and it still doesn't work. I
tried plugging in both usb ports to get more power and it didn't help.
I also changed the cord. I turned off the computer with it plugged in
and then unplugged it and tried again as was suggested before but no
luck.

I have a similar problem, I get the red light, with either one or both ports plugged, and then the Found New Hardware wizard comes up and wants to install supporting software. The wizard is unsuccessful, and the drive remains unrecognized. I have a similar problem, I get the red light, with either one or both ports plugged, and then the Found New Hardware wizard comes up and wants to install supporting software. The wizard is unsuccessful, and the drive remains unrecognized.

The SimpleTech Dark Blue worked fine for several months, and suddenly I can't get to the data any more. It gives me an I/O error. I've tried their web site but it is useless.

The SimpleTech Dark Blue worked fine for several months, and suddenly I can't get to the data any more. It gives me an I/O error. I've tried their web site but it is useless.

AnonymousMar 13, 2009

I'm having the same problem I thought i had a short in the cable but after reading all these problems i guess its not that. What can i do to save all my files and music. Does anyone recommend another storage device that wont have these problems I'm having the same problem I thought i had a short in the cable but after reading all these problems i guess its not that. What can i do to save all my files and music. Does anyone recommend another storage device that wont have these problems

AnonymousApr 17, 2009

I have the same problem. Red light comes on but my computer all of the sudden doesnt read the hard drive. where can one go to get it fixed?I have the same problem. Red light comes on but my computer all of the sudden doesnt read the hard drive. where can one go to get it fixed?

mine signature mini 250 gb also has the same problem. I read somewhere that by connecting both of the usb ports to your computer solves it, and it did for a few days, but now my computer wont detect it at all.

mine signature mini 250 gb also has the same problem. I read somewhere that by connecting both of the usb ports to your computer solves it, and it did for a few days, but now my computer wont detect it at all.

Dear,Here I would like to tell you most usefull thing and that iswhen we are using external stroage media especially Hard Disk Drive we must handle them very carefully because they consist of
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mechanical and electronics parts. Platters are one of them (
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mechanical
). These are very sensitive of dust and are depend on the way you are using it. A minor jurk can damage the drive. No doubt problem may be in the hardware for that you can visit the service centre but if we handle it will care then this way it will reduce the chances of problem.In such way we can operate the media for long time with no problem.Thanks & Regards,Rakesh Kumar

Dear,Here I would like to tell you most useful thing and that iswhen we are using external storage media especially Hard Disk Drive we must handle them very carefully because they consist of Mechanical and electronics parts. Platters are one of them (mechanical). These are very sensitive of dust and are depend on the way you are using it. A minor **** can damage the drive. No doubt problem may be in the hardware for that you can visit the service centre but if we handle it will care then this way it will reduce the chances of problem.In such way we can operate the media for long time with no problem.Thanks & Regards,Rakesh Kumar

Dear,Here I would like to tell you most useful thing and that iswhen we are using external storage media especially Hard Disk Drive we must handle them very carefully because they consist of Mechanical and electronics parts. Platters are one of them (mechanical). These are very sensitive of dust and are depend on the way you are using it. A minor **** can damage the drive. No doubt problem may be in the hardware for that you can visit the service centre but if we handle it will care then this way it will reduce the chances of problem.In such way we can operate the media for long time with no problem.Thanks & Regards,Rakesh Kumar

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Related Questions:

It might be the case that the External HDD is not formatted correctly with proper file format. If you are using Windows XP right click on My Computer icon on desktop -> Properties. This will open Computer Management, there click on Disk Management and search for you device, click on the device and format it correctly and it might solve your problem. For other OS version search for Disk Management and then format the External HDD correctly. Give your feedback here.

Connect it to a different computer.
If it works, then connecting to _your_ computer is the problem.
If it does not work, then either:
* the USB-to-disk-drive adapter inside the casing has failed, or,
* the disk-drive inside the casing has failed.

Open the case, and remove the disk-drive, and connect it as a "slave" disk-drive in your computer, to see if the disk-drive itself is "good" or "bad".

Google-search for "Data Recovery Services" -- these are commercial, high-cost, companies, that can temporarily repair a "dead" disk-drive, just long enough to try to copy all the files from the disk onto a new disk-drive.

When you plug the drive in, Windows should recognize it and make it immediately available for your use.

To confirm this, click Start then Computer and it should show up as a device with removable storage. If you click on the Signature drive, you will see the contents of the drive and you can use it just as ou would your "C:" drive.

I have the same issue. I have 4 Simpletech Signature 250GB drives. They all worked fine at first. After about six months two of them started connecting at USB 1 speeds. It occurs on 4 different computers!!! The post about it being the computer assumes is wrong. How can it work fine for six months and then suddenly change. Also it occurs on different computers. I have submitted a tech support request with simpletech and will post the results.

Reformatting will be our last option and there are a number of steps that you can try to fix this.

Try plugging it in on a different USB port

Check the USB cable, try replacing it and see if it works

USB ports on your computer makes use of power, so if you have multiple USB devices plugged in, the portable hard drive might not be receiving enough power. Try plugging it in without your other USB devices, except the mouse of course